Apparatus for removing insulation



\ NW0 5, 1929. w. H. RAY

v APPARATUS FOR REMOVING INSULATION Filed June 30, 1926 11 Sheets-Sheetl NOV. 5, 1929. RAY 1,734,745

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING INSULATION Filed June 30, 1926 1,1 Sheets-Sheet 2W my Nov. 5, 1929. w. H. RAY I EJ34 745 APPARATUS FOR REMOVINGINSULATION Filed June 30, 1926 11 Sheets-Sheet 3 x i i 50 //z/ 400 m6 5455 /04 /52 M5 1 97 W 324 f g 3,25

I we Wham/Fa Nov. 5, 1929. w. H. RAY 11,734,745

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING INSULATION Filed June 30, 1926 11 Sheets-Sheet 4A7 6 we was 7/ E 2 NOV. 5, 1929. H RAY 1,734,745

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING INSULATION A Filed June 30, 1926 11 Sheets-Sheet5 fi/y/a z Z 57 I Q .34/ ""z:

i 38 A L v 3 1 l if A l l -V Nov. 5, 1929.

RAY

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING INSULATION Filed June 30, 1926 11 Sheets-Sheet 6Nova 5, 1929. w. H. RAY 1,734,745

I APPARATUS FOR REMOVING INSULATION Filed June 30, 1926 ll Sheets-Sheet7 'g /zas/ Ndv. 5, 11929 I w, RAY v EJ34 745 APPARATUS FOR REMOVINGINSULATION 7 Filed June so, 1926 A 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 NQV. 5, 1929. RAY K7314 745 APPARATUS FOR REMOVING INSULATION Filed June 30, 1926 llSheets-Sheet 9 NQV. 5, 11929. w H RAY 1,734,745

APPARATUS FOR REMOVING INSULATION Filed June 30, 1926 11 Sheets-Sheet l0l i 1 3a l l 5 Wye/#0, Away NW, 5, 11929. w. H. RAY 9 3 APPARATUS FORREMOVING INSULATION Filed June 50, 1926 ll Sheets-Sheet ll Paten Nov. 5,1929 ITED STATES ILJEMMS WILLIAM HARRY. RAY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,.ASSIGNOE TO TEEN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ACORPOTIEUN 015' NEW YORK APPARATUS FOR REMOVING HQ'SULA'EION Applicationfiled June 30,

This invention relates to apparatus for -removing insulation, and moreparticularly to an improved apparatus for removing textile and enamelinsulations from electrical conductors.

It is frequently desired to remove insulation from portions ofelectrical conductors in order to electrically interconnect them withother conductors or electrical apparatus.

One instance of this nature occurs in the conconductors employed in thismanner are frequently provided with a coating of insulating enamel whichis superimposed by a textile covering. In order to insure goodelectrical connections between conductors of this type and theassociated terminals it is necessary that both the textile and enamelinsulations be completely removed from the contacting portions of theconductors.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improvedapparatus for rapidly and efliciently removing insulation fromelectrical conductors.

I An improved apparatus embodying the features of the inventioncomprises adjustable means for supporting the cable and the conductorsformed therefrom and means for separating and straightening theconductors before the stripping operation. Electrically heated elementsare provided for charring the insulation which is to be removed from theconductors, and a plurality of rotating wire brushes are provided forthereafter removing the charred textile insulation and the enamelcoating from the conductors. A

1936. Serial No. 119,776.

pair of rolls which are normally in contact with a liquid cementare'adapted to be moved in. contactwith the conductors, whereby the endsof the insulations remaining on the conductors are cemented in order toprevent fraying. A pair of cooperating knives are provided for cuttingthe ends of the con- (tluctors uniformly after the skinning operaion.

Other features and advantages of the inyention will become apparent inthe following detailed description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a front elevation, partly insection, of an apparatus embodying the features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof, partly in section;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational View, partly insection, showing the means for supporting the cable and the means forstraightening and separating the con-,

ductor leads from which the insulation is to be removed;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially on line 44of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 4, showing thestraightening means in normal position;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken substantially online 6-6 of Fig. 1, showing the means for charring the insulation;

Fig. 7 is a section taken on line 'Z'7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a section similar to Fig. 7 showing the charring mechanism inoperative position;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary detail View of a portion of themechanism shown in Figs. 7 and 8;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view partly insection, showing the means for removing the charred insulat-ion;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially on theline 1111 of Fig. 10; i

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view, partly insection, showing IND the means for cementing the ends of the insulationremaining on the conductors and the means for severing the conductorsinto uniform lengths;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary vertical section taken substantially on linel313 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of a portion of themechanism shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational View, partly insection, showing the means for receiving the completed cable form;

Figs. 16, 17 and 18 illustrate. diagrammatically the mechanism fordriving the various operating parts of the improved apparatus;

Fig. 19 is a detail section taken on line 19-19 of Fig. 3;

Figs. 20 and 21 are enlarged fragmentary sections taken on lines 2020and 21-2l, respectively, of Fig. 18;

Fig. 22 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of the cable supportinghooks and the separating comb with a cable positioned therein ready forthe skinning operation;

Fig. 23 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line 2323 of Fig. 7

Fig. 24 is a fragmentary section taken on line 2424 of Fig. 16;

Figs. 25, 26 and 27 are enlarged fragmentary detail views illustratingthe successive steps in the operation of the cable supporting andreceiving mechanisms;

Figs. 28, 29 and 30 are enlarged fragmentargr detail views of theburning elements, an

Fig. 31 illustrates a fragmentary portion of a cable form, showing theappearance of the conductor leads after the skinning operation has beencompleted.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, the mainoperating parts of the apparatus are mounted Within a cabinet-like framehaving side Walls 30 and 31, front'and rear walls 32 and 33,respectively, and an intermediate wall 36. Mounted near the lowerportion of the frame is an electric motor 38 which is directly connectedto a horizontally disposed shaft 39 rotatably journaled in suitablebearings formed inthe walls 33 and 36.

Secured to the shaft 39 is a pinion 40 which drives a gear 41 secured toa horizontally disposed shaft 42 (Figs. 3, 16 and 17). A driving member43 of a clutch 45. is slidably keyed to the shaft 42 and a driven member44 of the clutch is rotatably mounted upon the shaft 42 and has formedintegral therewith a pinion 46. The clutch 45 is operated by a handle 48mounted on the right side of the machine within convenient reach of theoperator. The handle 48 is secured to a pin 49 rotatably mounted in theside wall 31. An arm 50 is mcured, at one end,

separating the conductor leads, means for' charring the insulation,means for stripping the charred insulation, means for cementing the endsof the remaining insulation to prevent fraying, means for severing theconductor leads into predetermined uniform lengths, and means forreceiving the completed cable form. In order that the construction andoperation of the apparatus will be clearly understood, the variousoperating mechanisms will be desired separately in the above mentionedorder and will be followed by a brief general statement of the operation'of the apparatus.

Gable supporting emit Referring particularly to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, thenumeral 55 indicates, generally, a cable supporting unit comprising abracket 56 carrying a member 57 having a plurality of spaced hook-likemembers 58 arranged in a horizontal plane and designed to accommodateand support a cable 60 in such manner that its conductor leads 61thereof depend downwardly therefrom through the spaces between the hooks58, as best shown in Fig. 22.

The bracket 56 is slidably supported in a vertical guideway 63 (Figs. 3and 19) formed in the wall 36 of the-cabinet. A plurality of rollers6464 rotatably carried by the bracket 56 engage the walls of theguideway 63 so that the friction therein is reduced to a minimum. Meansis provided for moving the bracket 56 vertically in its guideway for apurpose which will be described in detail hereinafter. Slidably mountedin suitable guideways formed in the wall 36 is a vertically disposedrack 65 (Figs. 3, 16 and 18) which is secured at its upper end to thebracket 56. A gear 66 (Fig. 20) meshing with the rack 65 is keyed to ahorizontally disposed stud shaft 67 to which is also secured a pinion 68meshing with a rack 69. The rack 69 is threaded upon the lower end of avertical shaft 70 (Fig. 18), which shaft is rotatably journaled in abearing 71 (Fig. 21) formed in the wall 36. Fixed upon the upper end ofthe shaft 70 is a vertically movable slide 73 (Figs. 17, 18 and 21)carrying a roller 74 which is positioned to be peripherally engaged by acam 75 secured to a horizontally disposed shaft 76.

The cam 7 5 is driven in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 17) from ahorizontally I I disposed shaft 78 by imeans of intermittent gea'rs79and80 secured to the shafts 76 and 78, respectively. The, shaft 78- is inturn 'driven from the shaft 42 through an intermediate gear 82 meshingwith the inion 46 and a gear 83 secured to the shaft 8. The gear 82' issecuredcto a cam shaft 84 journaled in suitable bearings formed. in theframe walls 32, 33 and 36 (Fig.3) wlfiolfcam shaft is geared to make onerevolution for each cycle of operation of the apparatus.

It will be understood that movement of the slide 7 3 by the cam 75 istransmitted through the shaft 70, rack 69, pinion 68,gear 66, and rack65 to move the bracket 56 in its guideway 63. The cam-7 5 isprovided-with,

a low portion 85 (Fig. 17), spiral portions 86 and'87, of graduallyincreasing radius, and

an intermediate portion 88 of uniform ra 'dius. Due to thisconstruction, it is obvious that during one complete revolution of thecam, the bracket56 is moved upwardly to a rpredeterminedposition.wherein it remains stationary for a predetermined length of time andthen continues to move upwardly a short distance after which it returnsby its own weight toits normal position. The reason for thisconstrgction will presently apear.

F From tl understood that the travelingdistance of the bracket 56 isdetermined'by the relative position of the roller 74 with respect tothecam 7 5, it being obvious that by adjusting the roller further awayfrom the cam it will be engaged by a lesser part of the spiral portion86 of the cam'during the rotation thereof and the traveling distance ofthe slide 7 3 (and therefore the bracket 56) is thereby decreased.rDownward movement of the slide 7 3 is limitedby the cam 75, its lowestpossible position (and therefore the longest pos-,

sible travel of the bracket 56) being that wherein the roller 74normally engages the lowest portion of the cam,-as shown in Fig. 17.

Means is provided for varying the upward travel of the bracket56 toaccommodate cable forms having conductor leads of various lengths.Slidablykeyed tothe shaft 70 is a spiral gear 89-."(Figsi 18and 21)\which meshes with a similar gear 90 secured to a horizontally disposedshaft 91 (Fig. 16) journaled in the frame walls 32 and 36. One end ofthe shaft 91 protrudes through the front wall 32' and is adapted toreceive a crank handle 92 whereby the shaft 91 may" be manually rotatedto rotatethe shaft 70 through the gears 89 and 90. Due to its threadedengagement with the rack 69 which is held stationary by the pinion 68,the shaft 70 (and therefore the slide 73) is moved either upwardly ordownwardly when rotated, the directidn of this movementbeing determinedby the direction in which the insane 1e above description it should becrank handle 92 isiturned. .By means of, a

suitably calibrated dial-93 operatively connected to the shaft 91 by atrain of gears 94 (Fig. 16),the operator ma readily and accuratelyadjust the roller 4 for conductor,

leads of any predetermined length;

2 The means; for straightening the conductor -leads comprises a pair ofcooperating parallel bars 95 and 96 (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) mounted upon theupper ends of levers 97---97 and ,98-98, respectively, which levers are-piv-, oted at their lower ends upon. ahorizontally v disposed shaft 99journaledin'suitable bear- 80 ings formed in a central frame member 100and the frame walls 32 and 36. A form of toggle arrangement *is providedfor" moving'the levers 97 and 98 towards each other to cause thestraighteners-95 and 96 to en- 35 gage opposite sides of the conductorleads,

as shown in Fig.' 4. Adjustable toggle arms 102 and 103. are pivotedatone end to the i- S'tmz'ghtening means levers 97 and 98,respectively,and pivotallyg a connected attheir opposite ends in bifur-0 cated arms 104 and 105 of toggle levers 106 and 107, respectively,WhiChllGVGIS are rotatably mounted upon horizontally rdisposed shafts108 and 109,'respectively, siipported in suitable bearingsformed in theframe. 95 Arms'110 and 111 of the toggle levers 106 and 107'arepivotally connected/to the up per ends of vertically disposed links112and 113, respectively, which links are connected at their lower ends toarms 1'14 and 115, re 10o spectively, of a rocker member 116. The member116 is. rotatably mounted upon-a shaft 117 {ournaled' in suitablebearings formed in t 1e walls 32' and .36 of the frame. 'Rotatablymounted in a bifurcateddepend- 5 ingarm 118 of the'membe'r 116 is aroller 119 which is positioned to peripherally eugage a cam 120 (Figs. 4and 5) secured to thecam shaft 84. A tension spring 121 fastened at oneend to the arm 118 and secured at its opposite end to the frame wall P30 serves to normally hold the roller 119 in contactwith the peripheryof the cam.

From the above description it will be understood that rotation of thecam 120 in a clockwise direction (Figs. 4 and 5) causes movement of therocker member 116 in a. counter-clockwise direction. This movement ofthe rocker arm 116 is transmitted through the links 112 and 113, thetoggle levers 106 and 107, and the toggle arms 102 and 103, to move thelevers 97 and 98 towards each other so that the straighteners 95 and 96engage opposite sides of the conductor leads, as best shown in Fig; 4.It will be noted that the cam120 is provided with a low portion 122 anda comparatively large high portion 123, and that the roller 119 normallyengages the low portion 122 of the cam. Due to this construction itisobvious that 1 1 during one complete revolution of the cam,

their normal positions until the next cycle of operation of theapparatus.

like member 125 Separating means The mechanism. for separating theconductor leads of the cable will next be'described. This mechanismcomprises a comb- (Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 22) having a plurality of teeth 126for separating and spacing the'individual conductors, as best shown inFig. 22. The member 125 is supported upon the upper ends of a pair whichbars are slidably mounted in suitable bearings formed in the centralframe memberlOO. The bars 128 are interconnected at their lower ends bya cross bar 130. Secured to thecross bar l30is a vertical rod 131 whichis slidable in a bearing 132 formed in the frame 100. -A compressionsprin 133 encircling the rod 131 and disposed between the cross bar 130and the bearing 132 serves to normally urge the separating comb 125upwardly so that the teeth 126 thereof are in contact with the cablesup-' porting hooks 58 ,andin vertical alignment therewith as best shownin Fig. 22. A nut 134 threaded upon'the lower end of the rod 131 servesto limit the upward movement of the separating comb 125.

Pivotally'supported by a bracket 136 secured to the frame'wall 30 are apair of cams .137137 each of which is provided atits outer end with abifurcated portion 138 esignedto engage a pin 139 secured to the bars128. Rollers 140-l40 carried by the levers 97 are positioned to rideupon the upper surfaces of the cams 137 when the levers are movedtowards eachother.

The cams 137 are so designed that they are rotated in a clockwisedirection (Fig. 4) duringthe inward movement of the levers 97, therebymoving the separating comb downwardly against the tension of the spring133. This 96 to become positioned between the cable hooks 58 and theseparating comb 125, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The reason forthisconstruction will become more apparent as the description of theapparatus progrosses.

I nsulation chewing means Referring now particularly to Figs. 6, 7 and8, the mechanism for charring or burning the insulation which is to beremoved from the conductors comprises a pair of elec trically heatedburning elements 146 and 147 arranged to engage opposite sides of thecon permits the straighteners 95 and r ductors., as shown in Fig. 8. i;As illustrated in detail in Figs. 28, 29 and 30, the burning elements146 and 147 are wedge shaped and are each provided with a lurality oftrans verse narrow slots 150 and 153, the slots 153 being arrangeddiagonally in order to prevent passage \Of the conductors therein. Theseslots cause the current to flow along a serpentine path whereby aminimum amount of current is required to maintain the charring edgesthereof at a temperature sufliciently high to char the insulation. Theburning elements may be connected to any suitable source of electricalenergy by means of leads 163 fastened to the ends thereof.

The burning element 146 is supported by a plate 148 mounted in guideways149-149 formed in the frame walls 32 and 36, and the of verticallydlsposed parallel bars 128-128 burning element 147 is supported by aplate 151 mounted in guideways 152-152. Racks 154154 and 155-155 securedto the plates 148 and 151, respectively, mesh with gears 156156 and157157 secured to horizontally disposed shafts 158 and 159,respectively, journaled in suitable bearings formed 8 in the frame(Figs. 6 and16). Secured to the shaft 158 is a pinion 160 (Figs. 16 and17) which meshes with a gear sector 161 rigidly mounted at the upper endof a vertical lever 162. The lever 162 is pivoted intermediate its endsupon a stud shaft 164 suitably supported in the frame; A roller 165carried at the lower end of the lever 162 engages a cam groove 167formed in the face of a rotatable disk 1.68 (Fig. 24). The constructionis such that rotation oflhe disk168 imparts an 05- cillatory movement tothe gear sector 161, thereby driving the shaft 158 first in onedirection and then in the other. The shaft 159 is driven in a similarmanner from the shaft 158 by means-of a pair of intermeshing gears 171and 172; This movement of the shafts the gears 156 and 157 and the racks154 and 155 to move the burning elements 146 and 147 towards and awayfrom the conductors. The gearing is so arranged and the cam groove 167is so constructed that during one complete revolution of the cam shaft84, the burning elements are moved from their normal positions (Fig. 7)to their operative positions (Fig. 8) and returned to their normalpositions wherein they remain until the'next cycle of operation of theapparatus.

Referring to Figs. 16 and 17, it will be noted that the disk 168 issecured to the shaft 78, which shaftis driven fromthe cam shaft 84through the gears 82 and 83, hereinbefore described. It should beobserved that'the gears 82 and 83 are of the same size and are providedwith an equal number of teeth.

Due to this construction, the shaft 78 is 158 and 159 is transmittedthrough Means is provided for protecting the conductors during thecharring operation to prevent burning of the insulation beyond apredetermined point. This means comprises a pair of cooperating guardplates 180 and 181 (Figs. 6, 7 and 8) which are arranged to engageopposite sides of the conductors as shown in Fig. 9. The plates 180 and181 are secured to supporting members 182-182 and 183183, respectively.Arms 184184 and 185-185 are. pivoted at one end to the plates-148 and151, respectively, and carry, at their opposite ends, rollers 186 and187, respectively. The rollers 186 and 187 engage cam grooves 188 and189, respectively, formed in the frame walls 32 and 36. Rollers 191 and192 also carried by the arms 184 and 185 engage guide'ways 193 and 194formed in the guard supports 182 and 183, respectively. Guide rods 196and 197 are secured, at one end, to the guard supports 182 and 183,respectively, and slidably journaled, at their opposite ends, inbearings 198 and 199 formed in the arms 184 and 185, respectively. Encircling the rods 196 and 197 and interposed between the guard supports182 and 183 and I the bearings 198 and 199 are compression springs 200.From this construction it will be understood that movement of the plates148 and 151 causes movement of the guard plates 180 and 181. Thearrangement is such that the guard plates 180 and 181 will engage theconductors before the burning elements 146 and 147 and will remain incontact with the conductors until after the burningelements have beenremoved, as shown in Fig. 9.

Stripping means The means for stripping the charred insulation from theconductors comprises a pair of rotating wire brushes 208 and 209 (Figs.

10, 11 and 17) which are arranged to engage opposite sides of theconductors as shown in shafts 212 and 215, respectively, and pivotallyconnected at their opposite ends to one end of adjustable links 221 and222, respectively. The opposite ends of the links 221' and 222 arepivotally connected to arms 223 and 224 of bell crank levers 225 and226, respectively. The bell crank lever 225 is rotatably supported upona stud shaft 228 (Fig. 11) mounted in suitable bearings formed in theframe. The bell crank lever 226 is rotatably supported upon the shaft117. Arms 229 and 230 of the bell crank levers 225 and-226,

respectively, are operatively interconnected by a link 232. A roller 233carried by the arm 230 of the bell crank lever 226 is positioned toperipherally enga e a cam 235 secured to the cam shaft 84. tensionspring 236 secured, at one end, to the arm 230 and fastened, at itsother end, to the frame wall 30 serves to normally hold the roller 233in contact with the cam 235. The cam 235 is so designed that during onecomplete revolution thereof the brushes 208 and 209 are moved from theirnormal positions to their operative positions, as shown in dottedoutline in Fig. 11 and returned to their normal positions, wherein theyremain until the next cycle of operation of the apparatus.

The mechanism for driving the brushes 208 and 209 will now be described.Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, it will be noted that the brushes 208 and209 are mounted upon horizontally disposed shafts 237 and 238,respectively, theshaft 237 being journaled in the upper ends ofthe arms210 and 211 and the shaft 238 being carried by the arms 213 and 214.Bevel gears 239 and 240 (Fig. 17) secured to the shafts 237 and 238,respectively, mesh with bevel gears 241 and 242 secured at one end ofthe vertically disposed shafts 243 and 244 rotatably journaled in thearms 210 and 213, respectively: Secured at the opposite ends of theshafts 243 and 244 are bevel gears 246 and 247 (Fig. 16) which mesh withsimilar gears 248 and 249 secured at one end of horizontally disposedshafts 251 and 252, respectively, which shafts have keyed at theiropposite ends, bevel gears 253 and 254, respectively. The gears 253 and254 mesh with similar gears 256 and 257 secured at opposite ends of ahorizontally disposed shaft 258 (Fig. 17), which shaft is driven from avertically disposed shaft 260 by means of bevel gears 261 and 262secured to the, shafts 258 and 260, respectively. The shaft 260 is, inturn, driven from the main shaft 39 through spiral gears 264 and 265secured to the shafts 260 and 39, respectively.

O'ementing means Rotatably mounted in arms 27 0-27 0 and 271271 (Figs.12, 13 and 14) pivotally supported upon the upper ends of levers 27 2272 and 27 3--27 3, respectively, are a pair of rolls 274 and 275,respectively, which are arranged to engage opposite sides of theconductors, as best shown in Fig. 14. When in their normal positions,the rolls 274 and 275 engage rolls 277 and 278, respectively, (Fig. 13)which latter rolls are rotatably journaled in receptacles 279 and 280containing a suitable cementing material. The rolls 277 and 278 aresecured to shafts 281 and 282, respectively, which shafts are drivenfrom shafts 283 and 284 (Fig. 17) through trains of gears 286 and 287,respectively. Bevel gears 289 and 290 secured to the shafts 283 and 284,respecrespectively.

As shown in Fig. 13, the levers 27 2 and 273 are pivoted at their lowerends upon the shaft 99. A form of toggle arrangement is provided formoving these levers towards each other to cause the rolls 274 and 275 toengage the ends of the insulation remaining upon the conductors.Adjustable toggle arms 300 and 301 are pivoted at one end to the levers272 and 273, respectively and pivotally connected at their opposite endsin bifurcated arms 302 and 303 of toggle levers 305 and 306,respectively, which levers are secured to the shafts 108 and 109,respectively. Arms 307 and 308 of the toggle levers 305 and 306 arepivotally connected to the upper ends of vertically disposed links 309and 310, respectively, which links are connected at their lower ends toarms 312 and 313, respectively, of a rocker member 315 rotatably mountedupon the shaft 117. R0- tatably mounted in a bifurcated depending arm316 of the member 315 is a roller 317 which is positioned toperipherally engage a cam 318 secured to the cam shaft 84. A tensionspring 320 fastened at one end to the arm 316 and secured at itsopposite end to the frame wall 30 serves to normally hold the roller 317in contact with the periphery of the cam 318. c

From the above description it will be understood that movement of therocker member 315 in a counter-clockwise direction is transmittedthrough the links 309 and 310, the toggle levers 305 and 306, and thetoggle arms 302 and 303 to move the levers 272 and 273 towards eachother, thereby causing the rolls 274 and 275 to engage the ends of theinsulation on the conductors, as shown in Fig. 14. It will be noted thatthe cam 318 is so designed that the cementing rolls 274 and 275 areoperated near the end of each revolution of the cam shaft 84. This is toinsure that the burners and brushes have completed their operationsbefore the cementing rolls are operated to cement the ends of theinsulation remaining upon the conductors.

Se'vem'ng means "The means for severing the ends of the conductorsuniformly comprises a pair of cooperating knives 321 and 322 (Figs. 12,13 and 14) mounted near the upper ends of the levers 272 and 273,respectively. It will be understood that the severing operation takesplace immediately after the completion of the cementing operation. Aremovable receptacle 324 (Figs. 4 and 5) supported upon a shelf 325formed in the central frame member 100 is provided for collecting thewaste Means is provided for receiving and sup porting the cable formafter the skinning operation has been completed. This means comprises aplurality of hook-like members 330-330 (Fig. 15) which are secured to ahorizontally disposedbar 331 rotatably journaled in a bracket 332. Thebracket 332 is slidably mounted in a vertical guideway 334 (Fig. 19)formed in the frame wall 36 and is threaded upon a vertically disposedscrew member 335 rotatably journaled in the frame.

The bracket 332 is movable in its guideway 334 to accommodate cableforms having conductor leads of various lengths. Secured at the lowerend of the screw member 335 is a gear 336 which meshes with a gear 338secured at the upper end of a vertically disposed shaft 339. A spiralgear 340 secured at the lower end of the shaft 339 meshes'with thespiral gear 89 (Fig. 21). From this construction it is obvious that byturning the crank handle 92, the bracket 332 is moved upwardly ordownwardly in its guideway 334, the direction of this movement beingdetermined by the direction in which the crank handle is turned.

Secured to the bar 331 is a cam 345 which is positioned so as to beengaged by a roller 346 carried by an arm 347 'pivotally supported bythe bracket 56. The arm 347 is free to rotate in a counter-clockwisedirection (Fig. 25) but is prevented from turning in a clockwisedirection by means of a stop 349 attached to or formed integral with thebracket 56. By reason of this construction the roller 346 engages thecam 345 during the upward movement of the bracket 56 cansing the hooks330 to be turned to the left, as shown in Fig. 25, thereby permittingthe passage of the cable 60 and the supporting hooks 58. The cam is sodesigned that the hooks 330 are allowed to return to their normalpositions when the bracket 56 is in its uppermost position (Fig. 26)When in this position, the hooks 330 are in vertical alignment with thehooks 58. Moreover, it will be understood that the-hooks 330 remain intheir normal positions during the downward movement of the bracket 56since the roller- 346 has no effect on the cam 345 during such movementby reason of the arm 347 being free to rotate in a counter-clockwisedirection, as hereinbefore described. It will be apparent, therefore,that during the downward movement of the bracket 56 the cable positionedupon the hooks 58 will be caught by the hooks 330 which are designed tosupport it until removed by the operator.

The operation is as follows: Having first lUO adjusted the cablesupporting and receiving mechanisms in accordance with the length of theconductor leads as hereinbefore described, the cable is positioned uponthe supporting hooks 58 with the conductor leads 61 thereof hangingdownwardly between these hooks and the teeth 126 of the separating comb125. The motor 38is then started, thus driving the shaft 39 which, inturn, drives the pinion 40 and the spiral gear 265 from the latter ofwhich is driven the wire brushes 208 and 209 and the cement feedingrolls 277 and 278. By turning the handle 48 in a counter-clockwisedirection (Fig. 16) the clutch 45 is actuated to start rotation of the Yshaft 42 and thepinion 46 which drives the gear 82, thus starting therotation of the cam shaft 84 from which the straighteners, burners,knives and cable supporting mechanism are driven.

As hereinbefore described, the cam shaft 84 makes one revolution foreach complete cycle of operation of the apparatus. It must beunderstood, of course, that the gearing arrangement is such that therotation of the cam Shaft, is relatively slow.

The various operations which are completed during one cycle of operationof the apparatus will be described in the order inwhich they areperformed. The straighteners 95 and 96 are first moved into theiroperative positions as shown in Fig. 4 by means of the cam 123 actuatingthrough the toggle and lever arrangement hereinbefore described. Nextthe cable supporting unit 55 is moved upwardly to the position shown inFig. 7. This operation is performed by the cam 87 actuating through theslide 73, rack 69, pinion 68, gear 66 and rack 65. During the upwardmovement of the cable supporting unit 55 the conductor leads 61 areseparated and properly spaced by the separating comb 125. Due to thepressure of the straighteners 95 and 96 on the conductor leads, theconductors are also straightened during this upward movement of thesupporting unit.

As the cam shaft 84 continues to rotate the burners 146 and 147 and theguards 180 and 181 are moved into their operative positions by means ofthe intermittent gears 79 and 80 and the cam 168 in the mannerhereinbefore described. During the charring operation the cablesupporting unit 55 moves upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 26. Thismovement of the cable supporting unit is produced by the high portion 87of the cam 75. The distance of this latter movement of the cablesupporting unit is determined by the amount of insulation which is to beremoved from the conductors.

After the charring operation has been completed, the burning elementsstart returning to their normal positions and the brushes 208 and 209are moved into their operative positions by the cam 235. The brushes 208and 209 serve to remove the charred textile and enamel insulations fromthe conductors after which the cementing rolls 274 and 275 are movedinto engagement with the conductors and the ends of the remaininginsulation are ce mented to prevent fraying. After the cementingoperation, the knives 321 and 322 are actuated to sever the end portionsof the conductor leads to a uniform predetermined length.

Upon the completion of the severing and cementing operations, the knivesand cementing rolls are returned to their normal positions by means ofthe spring 320. The straighteners and 96 are then returned to theirnormal positions by the spring 121 and the supporting unit 55 movesdownwardly by its own weight, being retarded, however, due to theengagement of the roller 74 with the cam 75. During this downwardmovement of the cable supporting unit, the cable 60 is caused to becomepositioned within the receiving books 330, as shown in Fig. 27, thuscompleting one cycle of operation of the ap paratus.

Although the invention as herein illustrated and described isparticularly applicable for removing insulation from conductor leads offormed multi-conductor cables, it should be understood that the novelfeatures thereof are capable of other applications and that theinvention should be limited only by the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for removing insulation from an electrical conductor,means for holding the conductor, a heating element for charring theinsulation on the conductor, and a rotating member for removing thecharred insulation.

2. In an apparatus for removing insulation from an electrical conductor,a rack for holding the conductor, means for charring such portion of theinsulation on the conductor as is to be removed, and a pair ofoppositely rotating Wire brushes for removing the charred insulation.

3. In an apparatus for removing insulation from an electrical conductor,a rack for supporting the conductor, a heating element for charring aportion of the insulation on the conductor, a brush for removing thecharred insulation, and means for cementing an end of the insulationremaining on the conductor.

4. In an apparatus for removing insulation from an electrical conductor,a rack for holding the conductor, a heating element for charring suchportion of the insulation on the conductor that is to be removed, a pairof oppositely rotating wire brushes for remov ing the charredinsulation, and intermittently operable rollers for cementing the end ofthe insulation remaining on the conductor.

5. In an apparatus for removing insulation from an electrical conductor,means for supporting the conductor, a burnin element for charring aportion of the insul ation on the conductor, oppositely rotating wirebrushes for removing the charred insulation, a pair of cooperating rollsfor cementing an end of the insulation remaining on the conductor toprevent fraying, and a pair of cooperating knives for severing the endportion of the conductor to a. predetermined lengt i 6. In an apparatusfor removing insulation from an electrical conductor, adjustable meansfor supporting the conductor in a taut vertical position, a pair ofcooperating heated elements for charring the insulation on theconductor, a pair of oppositely rotating cooperating brushes forremoving the charred insulation, and means for severing theend of theconductor to a predetermined length.

7. In an apparatus for removing insulation from a plurality ofelectrical conductors, means for supporting the conductors, means forcharring the insulation on portions of the conductors, oppositelyrotating wire brushes for removing the charred insulation, means forcementing the ends of the remaining insulation to prevent fraying, andmeans for severing the end portions of the conductors to a uniformpredetermined length.

8. In an apparatus for removing insulation from conductor leads of aformed multiconductor cable, adjustable means for supporting the cableand the conductor leads, means for straightening the conductor leads,means for separating the conductor leads, a cam for causing a relativemovement between the supporting means and the straightening means tostraighten the conductor leads, means for charring a portion of theinsulation on the conductor leads, and means for removing the charredinsulation.

9. In an apparatus for removing insulation from conductor leads of aformed multicondnctor cable, adjustable means for supporting the cableand the conductor leads, means for straightening the conductor leads, acomb-like member for separating the conductor leads, means for causing arelative movement between the supporting means and the straighteningmeans to straighten the conductor leads, means for charring a portion ofthe insulation on the conductor leads,

means for removing the charred insulation,

and means for cementing the ends of the remaining insulation to preventfraying.

10. In anapparatus for removing insulation from conductor leads of aformed multiconductor cable, adjustable means for supporting the cableand the conductor leads, means for straightening the conductor leads,means for separating the conductor leads, means for causing a relativemovement between the supporting means and the straightening means tostraighten the conductor leads, means for charring a portion of theinsulation n the conductor leads, means for removing the charredinsulation, means for cementing the ends of the remaining insulationtoprevent fraying, and co-operating knives for severing the end portionsof the conductor leads to a uniform predetermined length.

v 11. In an apparatus for removing insulation from conductor leads of aformed multiconductor cable, adjustable means for sup porting the cableand the conductor leads, means for adjusting said supporting means toaccommodate conductor leads of various lengths, means for charring aportion of the insulation on the conductor leads, and intermittentlyoperable rollers for cementing the ends of the remaining insulation toprevent fraying.

12. In an apparatus for removing insulation from conductor leads of aformed multiconductor cable, adjustable means for supporting the cableand the conductor leads, means for receiving the cable after theinsulation has been removed from the leads and co-operating gears foradjusting the supporting means and the receiving means for conductorleads of a predetermined length.

13. In an apparatus for removing insulation from conductors, parallelbars for straightening the conductors, means for charring theinsulation, means for removing the charred insulation, means fortreating the ends of the remaining insulation, and means for effectingthe co-operation of the aforementioned means in timed relation.

14. In an apparatus for removing insulation from conductors, adjustablemeans for holding the conductors, means for straightening theconductors, means for charring the insulation, means for removing thecharred insulation, cement applying rollers for treating the ends of theremaining insulation, means for severing the ends of the conductors, andmeans for effecting the co-operation of the aforementioned means intimed relation.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 19th day of June,A. D. 1926.

WILLIAM HARRY RAY,

